The ocean is a miraculous and beautiful world all it's own, but deep below the surface is a world sometimes made up of man-eating creatures, poisonous endeavors and deadly beauty. Sharks have been the subject for everything from Hollywood movies to cable documentaries, and now is the subject of every headline across America.
In an interview on ABC News, the U.S. Coast Guard said it sent a rescue helicopter to pick up the man on Sunday after receiving a "mayday" call from the Florida based charter dive boat "Shear Water" who runs an adventure dive service, saying that a man had suffered a shark bite wound. The man who was attacked is identified as Markus Groh, 49, a lawyer from Vienna. The Coast Guard that arrived on the scene also gave a statement that the victim was flown from the scene, about 5 miles north of Great Isaac Cay in the Bahamas, to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, where he was pronounced dead, the Coast Guard said.
According to several reports, the man was on a diving trip aboard the Shear Water, owned by Jim Abernethy's Scuba Adventures. This Company schedules dive trips in which the crew and patrons put food or "chum" into the water to attract sharks of all species, such as hammerheads, tiger sharks, blue's and even great white's whom are nortorious to have been found in the waters of Florida. Once the sharks arrive, the divers have the opportunity to "swim with the sharks" or get dangerously close to these man-eaters.
People need to remember that sharks are dangerous creatures of our ocean's, and should be treated as so. So many times man goes in and "plays" with these creatures and never makes it back out, as in the case of this story. It is unfortunate that it takes the media to remind us that something is dangerous, but where does the liability fall in these types of cases? With the owner of the boat? The diver? Or nature?
The Charter service was contacted about this fatality, and declined to speak with reporters, I too, contacted them and was also declined an interview at this time. Sharks are not toys, there are no resources for compensation when something fails or goes wrong, we need to respect nature, respect the species that we already know can be hazordous to our health and most importantly , use common sense when entering into a potentially dangerous situation.
Ever since I was a teenager, I was involved in Marine life. When I was 13 years old I volunteered at Cabrillo Marine Museum in San Pedro along side of the legendary John Olguin.
Below are the top articles rated and ranked by Helium members on:
by Erinn Soule
The ocean is a miraculous and beautiful world all it's own, but deep below the surface is a world sometimes made up of man-eating
by Chris Conner
For me the shock of what I was about to do hit home when I saw the Caribbean reef sharks swimming in slow circles around
If you're cruising to the tropics, don't miss the opportunity to see the beauty and wonder of life under the sea on scuba.
Cruise
Veteran scuba divers will love the shore excursion options offered by cruise lines on a cruise vacation. But those interested
by Misha Rene
If you want to take a cruise and partake in scuba diving, I suggest the live-aboard cruise, which allows for better dive
View All Articles on:
Scuba diving during a cruise vacation
Add your voice
Know something about Scuba diving during a cruise vacation?
We want to hear your view.
Write now!
Cast your vote!
Click for your side.
Featured Partner
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
LEAP has partnered with Helium, giving you the chance to write for a cause. Browse LEAP's featured titles, pick ...more
hide